Question about integral bolsters

Emanuel · 27th August 2013, 07:26 PM

Thanks guys!

Yes on the Kerala knives, but a fair distance from Anatolia.

Timo the tukou and habaki are not integral. In the case of nihonto the habaki isn't even structural, it serves as an interface with the scabbard to protect the surface of the blade, not to reinforce the blade. And again, how and when did the integral bolster enter Anatolian bladesmithing when it is absent from neighbouring cultures?

Any reference I could check for the medieval knives? I haven't seen anything with an integral bolster.

And, to clarify, I am looking for one-piece bolster construction in ferrous bladesmithing, not bronze casting.

Cheers!
Emanuel

27th August 2013, 07:26 PM	#4
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Thanks guys! Yes on the Kerala knives, but a fair distance from Anatolia. Timo the tukou and habaki are not integral. In the case of nihonto the habaki isn't even structural, it serves as an interface with the scabbard to protect the surface of the blade, not to reinforce the blade. And again, how and when did the integral bolster enter Anatolian bladesmithing when it is absent from neighbouring cultures? Any reference I could check for the medieval knives? I haven't seen anything with an integral bolster. And, to clarify, I am looking for one-piece bolster construction in ferrous bladesmithing, not bronze casting. Cheers! Emanuel Last edited by Emanuel; 27th August 2013 at 07:43 PM.